Chapter 56

  When the National Army launched a "winter offensive" last year, the Japanese still had some illusions about China's political situation, but now they have been disillusioned. This forced the Japanese army to re-examine the situation. After failing to get what they wanted, the Japanese army turned around and started a crazy revenge. For a time, the vast land of North China was filled with wolf smoke and mournful cries everywhere.

  Apart from the Japanese army starting to build fortifications on the highway, the surroundings of Feihu Mountain were unexpectedly calm. The commander of the puppet security forces sent a letter to the Flying Tigers' base, with sincere words, roughly meaning that everything can be negotiated, and please do not act impulsively, as it is not easy to speak with the Imperial Army.

  "What's wrong with these two devils, have they changed their sex?" Wang Jinlong was perplexed.

  "What they mean is that from now on, Mr. Ji will build a pigpen, and the materials can be delivered directly, no need to go to the cannon tower again!" Lin Xiuying smiled.

  "There's also this good thing, then... how about we give it a try?" Wang Jinlong seemed to be slightly moved.

  "In that case, the Japanese army would openly and brazenly tear down ordinary people's houses, then loudly and publicly transport them to the mountain stronghold, and then the people around Flying Tiger Mountain..." Lin Xiuying smiled as she looked at Wang Jindong.

  "We'll hide far away from them!" Wang Jinlong laughed, "Although we are bandits, but the traitor's hat is not good to wear!"

  "Lao Lü, ask your people about the situation with the National Army. I'll let Old Cat go out and take a look around again. This little devil is acting a bit abnormal!" Xiao Ming suddenly blurted out after half a day of silence.

  Unexpectedly, the Japanese and Nationalist armies around them did not make a big fuss, but instead got along very harmoniously. Both sides tacitly opened up a gap and started doing business together!

  "Let's just drop it! Grandma, I'm getting more and more confused!" Xiao Ming was at a loss, so he simply got up and wandered off. Seeing Shan Wa still following him, he asked irritably: "Don't you have anything to do? Why are you following me?"

  "I'm your messenger, where else can I go if I don't follow you!" Shan Wa Zi smiled foolishly.

  "I'll kick your butt!" Xiao Ming turned around and kicked Shan Wawa with a moderate force.

  "Are you comfortable now?" Shanwa didn't even dodge.

  "You little rascal, if you pretend again, I'll let you accompany the Second Dog!" Xiao Ming was indeed furious. In this world, only when the wind and rain are favorable and the people's hearts are at peace will the common people plant some fine grains. To avoid delays, most of them still planted some corn and millet, so the autumn harvest is the main one. Overnight, a large number of Japanese troops appeared around, and during the autumn harvest, Flying Tiger Fort didn't dare to go to Liujiatun, while some villages in the Flying Tiger Mountain area had little land and many people, and they could only collect a symbolic amount of grain, just enough for themselves to eat, so as not to forget that there was still the matter of resisting Japan.

  Xiao Ming suddenly remembered something and called out to Shan Wawa: "Wawa, why don't you go teach Xiao Yue how to ride a horse? It's cold now and she's wearing thick clothes, so she won't be afraid of falling."

  "I won't go!" Shan Wa Zi flatly refused, "That girl sees me and treats me like an enemy, she's really fierce! It's better to keep a distance from her."

  "You're too young! Having a female enemy is more interesting than having ten male friends. Go quickly, and tell her I said so."

  "What if she takes a fancy to my horse?"

  "Give it to her! This girl has no patience, she'll be back in two days."

  "Once it's in her hands, even a ghost wouldn't dare come out, let alone anyone else!" Shan Wawa suddenly remembered something, "Commander, what if Lü Niang also wants to learn? I don't dare teach her!"

  "Get out of here!" Xiao Ming glared at Shan Wa Zi.

  As time went on, everyone felt bored and would often run to the main hall to see if there was anything to do. Wang Jinlong looked annoyed and called Xiao Ming over, saying: "Brother, think of a solution, or else those kids will get sick from boredom!"

  "Big brother, don't worry, Old Cat and Big Dragon have already gone out to gather information, I estimate that there will be results in these two days!" Xiao Ming had long been feeling weak all over, this person was idle and had many problems, after a long time, morale was also a problem.

  Xiao Ming had been on the transportation team in the mining area for two months! Of course, he was not interested in those ores, but the supplies of the Japanese army. The mining area was garrisoned by a large Japanese army and thousands of laborers, plus various equipment, with astonishing daily consumption. It was strange that the mining area and the transportation team had never been attacked, even during the most intense guerrilla warfare, they only suffered minor impacts, but quickly resumed production.

  Xiao Ming weighed the pros and cons in his heart, if he were to attack the mining area, the Japanese would have no choice but to fight to the death with the Flying Tiger Fort, which wouldn't bring any benefits to himself either. It's better to get some supplies and not provoke the Japanese. After presenting the plan, it was unanimously approved by everyone in the mountain stronghold.

  A large convoy of vehicles came winding its way to the mining area, accompanied by a small cavalry unit of Japanese troops and a regiment of puppet army.

  "Turn the corner, and after five kilometers we'll reach the mining area, it's safe!" The Japanese squad leader let out a long sigh of relief. "Originally this was a task for an entire company, but our small squad completed it on its own, I wonder if the superior will give us a reward?" Thinking about this, the squad leader's mood brightened up, and he even waved his hand to greet a group of Imperial Army cavalrymen who had appeared beside him at some point: "Good work, brave warriors..." Before he could finish speaking, he felt something was off: why did his head and arm seem to be on the ground...

  Xiao Ming made a bold decision: to take action at the turning point five kilometers away from the mining area, because at this time the enemy was most relaxed and did not expect anyone to attack them at their doorstep. The headache was how to achieve a quick victory without alarming the devils in the mining area. After discussing for half a day without result, Xiao Ming simply gave an order: except for those guarding each company, all would participate in the battle; if not, they would fight hard.

  Waiting until he saw clearly that there was only a small team of cavalry, Xiao Ming felt relieved. Wu Dingbang asked to let the cavalry practice knife skills, thinking about the comparison of three to one, Xiao Ming agreed, on the condition that they must not make any noise!

  The situation turned around, and one by one, they came down, there were no more living devils, they never thought that their own people would turn against them. When the puppet army came to, they found a saber with blood still dripping from it on their heads, and black gun muzzles all around them. The puppet army commander hastily raised his hands and shouted: "Don't shoot!" He turned around and ordered his men: "Put your hands up! Don't misunderstand!"

  Ma Liu brought people over to collect the guns and ammunition from the pseudo-military personnel. The pseudo-military company commander was not afraid, with a smile on his face, greeting Ma Liu: "Sir, you are a good fellow from Fei Hu Zhai, aren't you?"

  "What's the point of asking so many questions? The more you know, the faster you'll die. Hasn't anyone ever taught you that?" Ma Liu looked up and down at the company commander, lecturing him as he did so.

  "I know this! However, in this place, the only one who dares to fight with the Japanese is Fei Hu Zhai. I want to see Xiao Dangjia." Lian Zhang said calmly.

  "Do you know our Second Master? If you're trying to deceive me, I think you know the consequences! Come with me!" Ma Liu led him away, muttering to himself: "Damn it, there are quite a few people who know Second Master!"

  "Wu Yonggui!" Xiao Ming was stunned for a moment before he remembered that the fake army company commander in front of him was Wu Yonggui, whom he had dealt with before when he was still a platoon leader.

  "Xiao Dangjia's good eyesight, it turns out that Wu Yonggui is the one who has been taking care of things at home recently!" Wu Yonggui was both surprised and delighted, never expecting Xiao Ming to still remember him.

  "It's been a long time! Come on, come on, Wu Lianzhang, let's find a place to chat!" Xiao Ming understood that Wu Yonggui didn't just want to socialize, there must be something else. "Old Wu, why did you only bring so few people to escort the car today? Isn't this sending you all to your deaths?"

  "Let me tell you, this Japanese is also at his wit's end, even we are temporarily caught as errand boys. However... " Wu Yonggui looked around and said in a low voice, "The Japanese are planning a big action, be careful after you go home!"

  "What's going on? What's all this about?" Xiao Ming didn't quite understand the current situation and wanted to figure out what was wrong.

  "One of my fellow villagers who studied in Japan is now working as a translator at the garrison headquarters. One day, he came to drink with me and said that the Japanese army was secretly gathering troops and stockpiling supplies, seemingly preparing for some big action, but he didn't know what it was specifically. He also heard this from a Japanese military advisor."

  "Oh? You say the Japanese army's current large-scale sweep is just an illusion?"

  "It's not fake either, it should be after stabilization!"

  "I get it! Old Wu, thank you! By the way, this time won't have any impact on you guys, right?"

  "It's a bit of a thing, but now the Japanese are also very tight-handed and can't do much to us, so it shouldn't be a big deal! However, those who were forced to pull carts were all ordinary people found by the Japanese army, please return the carts to their owners."

  "That's easy for us, we have our own car. But your subordinates won't betray you, right? Do you want me..."

  "Thanks, but I'll handle this myself! We can't stay here for long, so it's best if you leave now!" Wu Yonggui thought for a moment, "Right, Xiao Dangjia, I'm currently working in Qing Shui County town. If anything comes up, just look for me there."

  Xiao Ming let Shan Wawa pass the order to hurry up and change cars. He also told Ma Liu, returned the gun to Wu Yonggui's subordinates, and took out some money and the spoils of war from the Japanese army and handed them over to Wu Yonggui: "Old Wu, don't misunderstand, after all, you still have so many brothers following you to eat! When going out, I didn't bring much money, take this first, and when there is a chance, my brother will make it up for you!"

  Wu Yonggui reluctantly accepted and left with his men, but was later beaten by the Japanese with 50 lashes and lay in bed for half a month. He didn't care, as Xiao Ming had given him enough money to last a year.

  Xiao Ming returned to the mountain stronghold and told them about Wu Yonggui's affair, and everyone was also puzzled, not knowing what kind of trick the devils were playing. At this moment of silence, Wang Jinlong said a sentence: "Damn it! In this territory, 'big break' means fighting with the National Army in the south, otherwise what else could be the big deal!"

  This stone shocked the sky, and everyone suddenly realized that Xiao Ming sincerely exclaimed: "Brother, I really admire you, old ginger is still spicy!" He turned to Lin Xiucheng and Lü Jizong and said: "Do you two have any opinions?"

  Lin Xiuzhi and Lü Jizong also completely agreed with Wang Jinlong.

  "Alright! Old Lü, send a telegram to your superiors and report the situation to them. Old Lin, notify all departments that from today on, Flying Tiger Fort will cease all actions. We can't be the appetizer for the Japanese."

  After some thought, Xiao Ming gritted his teeth and said: "The mountain stronghold will start large-scale attack training. Let the little devils know that Chinese people are not a loose sand!"